Volume 3
Chapter 13
Part 2.2
Reverse the
Spiritual Path, Follow it to the Sanctuary 2.2
Translator : PolterGlast
―Akira was witnessing the whole process.
Even though he had
heard the briefing beforehand, it was still difficult for him to comprehend.
The only thing that
can be said with certainty is the fact that it is impossible to reproduce
Tenrai, even with divine authority.
Individually, the
techniques are not that difficult to master.
Even with Akira's
technique, it is possible to reproduce only the fire talisman technique.
If one were to ask
someone about wood, earth, and water talismans, the same answer would be
received.
However, the skill
required to link and control all of the techniques was beyond measure.
Even a skilled Onmyoji
could control at most three techniques at the same time.
Including spirit
techniques, controlling five techniques of different elements at the same time
is, to put it lightly, a feat of extraordinary skill.
It does not depend on
the rank of the spirit, but on the power of controlled techniques.
"Are you alright,
Akira-kun?
―Well, maybe that's not something wise for me to ask.
This kind of thing shouldn't be something Kanna-no-Mikura should worry about,
right?
"No. I still have
a long way to go.
I have nothing but
admiration for Yuge-sama's strike."
Until now, Akira had
also guessed the possibility that his true identity had been discovered by
Kojou.
But now that Kojou saw
Akira pull out Jakuen Gayou, there was no doubt that he was convinced.
Akira tried his best
not to react to the words that were so blatantly spoken to him.
"I see, so you
want to see how much of the divine artifact will drain your divine energy.
―I understand that this Hyakki Yagyo is your last
opportunity to do so.
......I'll make some
cover-ups to tell Genji later, so you don't have to worry about your
back."
"Much
appreciated. What are you gonna do now, Yuge-sama?"
"I need to
fortify Kagura's protection.
Metal element is
strong on the offensive, but poor on defense. The remaining forces we have
mobilized will not be enough."
"I believe the
Imperial Guards has been mobilized as well."
"I'm not so
gullible as to pin my hopes on those who have been protected by the barrier.
Besides, if I don't
protect my own daughter, I will lose the place to stand as a parent."
"Parent,
huh?"
For Akira, it was
nothing more than a dream. He smiled at Kojou and, without being able to
concur, gave him only a formal nod of understanding.
Kojou looked up at
Mitsuzu-Torii Mountain in front of him, chuckling at the expression on the
boy's face, which showed no signs of mental preparedness.
"Before you
proceed to Mt. Kugatachi, could you please have a little chat with Kagura?
She's in the middle of
a devotional retreat, and I'm sure she'd like to relieve some of her
boredom."
"I would be happy
to do it, but I think it would be difficult under our current circumstances.
Especially the blow
earlier. Even though we were able to crush Hyakki Yagyo, I don't even have the
feeling that we reached Nurarihyon."
"Well, we've
cleared pretty much the whole area.
Looks like neither of
us had much of a response."
Akira's power and
Kojou's spirit techniques are powerful enough to mercilessly annihilate the
surrounding area, so much so that they do not even consider distinguishing
between any of their enemies.
Akira and Kojou's blow
would certainly have brought about the annihilation of the whole area.
―But Akira was not convinced that Nurarihyon, who had
prepared so carefully, could be deterred by such a single blow.
"Especially
Nurarihyon's divine artifact has the power to impersonate others.
Since we don't know
what he looks like―"
"It is possible
that he has already infiltrated the garrison.
Although the
Mitsuzu-Torii mountain's barrier is still in place, as long as we don't know
what our enemy is up to, it would be foolish to let him get any closer."
He glanced bitterly at
the apprentice guardians.
The apprentice
guardians were making a lot of commotion as they tried to finish off the
surviving beasts, and even if a Nurarihyon were to infiltrate their ranks,
there would be no way for Kojou to tell who it was.
He might be alone, but
he is still a fallen divine pillar. And although it is unlikely that he will be
able to breach Mitsuzu-Torii Mountain's barrier, Kojou is not so complacent as
to allow him to approach the barrier.
Akira could sympathize
with Kojou's concern, but he still had deeper-rooted doubts.
"Aka-sama said
that Nurarihyon's aim was to seize the sanctuary of the Central Capital.
......If that is the case, I don't think there
is any point in bringing down the Cornerstone Mountains."
The protection of the
Five Elemental Barrier, with the exception of the Cornerstone Mountains, has
been virtually lost.
At this point, the
prerequisite for the scheme that Nurarihyon plotted has been accomplished.
Since the Cornerstone
Mountains is not the stronghold of the dragon den, there is no longer any point
in being fixated on it.
―The most efficient course of action for Hyakki Yagyo
would be to ignore the Cornerstone Mountains and give priority to the invasion
of the Central Capital.
Yuge Koujo smiled
lightly and quickened his pace a little as he headed for Mitsuzu-Torii
Mountain.
Sensing that Akira was
following suit, he continued his words.
"Not necessarily
the case. The only way to reach the sanctuary of the Central Capital, the
cornerstone of Takamagahara, is by following a specific route."
The key is to
understand the purpose of the Cornerstone Mountains.
"The pilgrimage
to the sanctuary is a simple but powerful ritual.
By going through the
pilgrimage around the cornerstone mountains, which is based on the five
elements, it is possible to reach Takamikura, the sovereign of the dragon
den."
The Central Capital is
one of the largest divine realms in the world, but the area inhabited by people
only encompasses the top layer of the divine realm.
The only way to reach
the true sanctuary, which is located at the base of the dragon den, is to
travel along the spiritual paths that connect the cornerstone mountains.
"If Nurarihyon
wanted to go to the dragon den, he would have to go through the spiritual path
connecting the cornerstone mountains.
I don't know how he
will infiltrate though......"
"I can see
through Nurarihyon's disguise. Shall I try searching?"
Slipping between the
bustle of apprentice guardians, the two reached the outer edge of the barrier.
At the entrance to the
high mountain path, they stared at the bustling crowd of guardians.
―There was no sign of Nurarihyon within sight.
"A tempting
offer, but I don't want to incur the Kihouin family's enmity.
Akira-kun, you should
prioritize going to Mount Kugatachi."
"―I knew you
would make that decision, Kojou.
I also would like to
thank you once again for allowing Kagura and Kanna-no-Mikura to meet."
As Akira felt slight
disappointment that his expectations were not fulfilled, a woman's voice with a
clear seductive tone sounded behind his back.
As Akira turned his
head in surprise, pure white shone down on the mountain path.
It was the Jinroin
Kagura he had met the other day. Everything about her was enveloped in a pure
white radiance.
Her limbs were wrapped
in a white robe resembling that of a miko (shrine maiden).
Her silver-white hair,
trimmed at the shoulders, fluttered gracefully around her ears.
The golden eyes peeked
out from the bangs, glaring at Akira with a mischievous gleam that contradicted
her childish appearance.
"Shiro-sama, is
it all right for you to leave the main hall?"
"My main body is
still inside. There's no problem with just borrowing Kagura's body.
―The entrance to the spiritual path is right behind
you. If we don't protect this place, where else are we going to protect
it?"
"Your insight is
beyond wise."
"Since they
showed us this much enthusiasm on their first move, even I can guess what the
enemy's plan is.
It's a bit nauseating
to be used as a gateway to the sanctuary, but it makes sense for them to take
advantage of our weakness, doesn't it?"
Arawakamioroshi. Akira
realized from the girl's response that she was not someone he was acquainted
with.
Unlike Tsuguho
previously, this girl had probably entrusted her body more deeply to the divine
pillar.
The golden gleam
turned her gaze beyond Akira.
"On the contrary,
the attacks directed at the other cornerstone mountains were likely to be
decoys.
Those large number of
defiled beasts, enough to be called Hyakki Yagyo, were merely decoys. Though,
the time and effort needed to prepare them must be no less than several hundred
years,
―Isn't that right?"
"Indeed, I have
gone to a tremendous amount of effort.
So it's kind of
frustrating to be seen through here."
A third person's voice
interrupted the conversation among Akira and the others.
Upon hearing this
natural response, which sent a chill down one's spine, Akira and Kojou turned
around with their hands on their sword's handles.
There was no presence.
But before they knew it, a lone soldier was standing there.
A dull, middle-aged
man with a mustache that left only the slightest impression.
―A man whose features were covered by an elaborately
carved wooden mask.
It was a face he did
not recognize, but the whisper that so naturally invaded his thoughts was fresh
in Akira's mind.
"Nurarihyon. I
was wondering what tricks you would use to get close to this place, but in the
end, is this where you're going to call it quits?"
"―Hi, hi, indeed.
No matter how strong one's body may be, it is impossible to cross the barrier
of the Cornerstone MOuntains while covered in miasma. ...... But all I have to
do left is infiltrate the spiritual path and make my way over to the
sanctuary."
His shoulders shook
and his featureless face twitched with laughter.
In his hand, the tip
of a broad, machete-like sword, which did not resemble a sword, swayed as it
moved.
―At first glance, his stance appeared playful.
However, this opponent
in front of Akira's eyes used such swordsmanship to penetrate one's defenses.
Knowing this, Akira kept looking for an opening without letting his guard down.
"Do you really
think it is possible for you to cross the barrier now that we have the
protection of a divine pillar?"
"That's exactly
why now is the perfect opportunity, Kanna-no-Mikura-dono.
Now that the Five
Elemental Barrier has been broken, nothing can block a blow to the Cornerstone
Mountains.
―With the miasma in our bodies, we believe we can
breach through the barrier, but what do you think?"
No one can respond to
his taunting question.
The silence spoke more
eloquently of the truth than anything else, as the carved wooden Noh mask grew
shadier with each sneer.
As the sneering Noh
mask pointed out, Akira and the others were a little behind when it came to
defenses.
The reason for this is
that Akira and the others would be restricted in their use of spirit techniques
because they could not afford to destroy the final barrier on Mt.
Mitsuzu-Torii.
―Nurarihyon, on the other hand, could use miasma
without worrying about its contamination.
To overcome this
overwhelming disadvantage, Akira took a big step forward.
A signature offensive
step. Akira's most refined technique, a powerful blow from the Daijōdan
(overhead) stance.
The roaring blade
sliced through the air and met the sword held out by the Noh mask.
"Let's settle
this here, Nurarihyon.
You must die here
before you enter the spiritual path."
"It's no use,
Kanna-no-Mikura-dono. Now that your spiritual power is limited, you are nothing
more than a mere insignificant boy."
Determination and
ridicule collided, and the scattered spiritual power turned into flames.
Amidst the multiple
flashes of sword strikes, the decisive battle on Mt. Mitsuzu-Torii has begun.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
Aiden Elliott
Edgar M
Elite
Konstantinos Frietchen
Max Kneifel
sergioalf2 .
Swagaraga
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
[Silver]
CoolmanMTD
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matzar1
Pristia
Sơn Hồ
Anton Lim
Ctdela
Curious Panda
Hikigaya Hachiman
Matias Soto Ramirez
XXX Demon Hunter XXX
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
